Some of
Lucas Niggli's best ensemble work comes from his trio called
Zoom (as opposed to his larger group called Big Zoom), perhaps due to the freedom afforded the players, who never get in each other's way but somehow seem to be nearly always in synch. The tracks on Rough Ride were recorded live at three different venues during a five-month period. Trombonist
Nils Wogram continues to be a critical part of the group sound: whether buzzing quietly against the grain of the strummed guitar or charging with unmitigated intensity like a wolf stalking his prey,
Wogram struts like a peacock as his enormous technical proficiency continuously impresses.
Niggli is the rare drummer/composer who writes with a delicious delicacy that reflects a distinctly European flavor. His melodies may not be memorable: they are too abstract, but they are nevertheless complex and substantial. Guitarist
Philipp Schaufelberger is the weak link as a soloist, but he is particularly effective as an ensemble player on the slower, more sensitive pieces. He picks his notes more like a horn and blends well with the trombone. The open spaces, atmospheric forays, and surprise punches combine to create something that is somehow accessibly artsy without being pretentious. It never really feels like a "rough ride," but it does often zoom. ~ Steven Loewy